The Chesapeake Bayhawks will open the 2019 season at home on Sunday, June 2 against the Atlanta Blaze.

The 2019 schedule includes many changes advocated for by the league’s players, including a season start date after Memorial Day and an emphasis on playing weekend games.

In addition, each team will play each other twice, home and away, for the first time since 2015, when the league expanded to include the Atlanta Blaze.

"We are returning a young, hungry team in 2019. A June to September schedule allows us to have our team together for the whole season. We are looking forward to training camp in May and the season start in June," said Chesapeake Bayhawks Head Coach, Dave Cottle. "This schedule really allows for continuity within our team through the season and this change will really benefit the Bayhawks."

The schedule of 76 games over a period of 16 weeks allows for a significant concentration of competitive action during the summer months.

"Our home schedule includes the Major League Lacrosse All-Star Game, which will be played for the first time at Navy-Marine Corps Memorial Stadium in Annapolis,” Bayhawks president Mark Burdett said.

“We are both excited and honored to have the opportunity to host this event on our home turf. We appreciate the recognition by the MLL of the quality of our game day experience," Burdett added. "We are also pleased to have five of our eight home games during the months of July and August, where there are limited conflicts with school, club, and other professional sports activities."

The Bayhawks 2019 Flex Season Ticket Packages will include eight regular season home games plus the All-Star Game. The players join in the excitement of a new schedule, along with many improvements from the MLL rolled out this offseason.

"As I enter into my 11th season playing in Major League Lacrosse, I can confidently say that this new schedule will offer the greatest experience for the player,” Chesapeake midfielder Matt Abbott said. “Starting the season after Memorial Day allows us to get all of our rookies in from day 1, cutting back on weekday games makes it easier for players to travel, and the additional games added to the season gives us more opportunities to get out in front of the fans.”